Sponsorship Manager Job Opportunity

The Roncesvalles Polish Festival is the largest celebration of Polish culture in North America. We’re currently seeking a Sponsorship Manager who will work with the RVBIA and the festival management team to meet the Festival’s sponsorship targets through the acquisition of cash, grants and in-kind. This position will also include sponsorship administration, event coordination/management,and partnership liaison and coordinating Official ceremonies and VIP events.

Key Accountabilities:

Review and analyze the RVBIA’s current sponsorship program and develop new materials, in conjunction with the RVBIA Operation Team.

Prepare Sponsorship plans, brochures and other materials used to solicit potential candidates

Develop a sponsorship timeline and plan for the Roncesvalles Polish Festival..

Take responsibility for the identification, solicitation and procurement of potential sponsors.

Assist in maintaining and enhancing services to existing sponsors, and to promote sponsorship level enhancement.

Collect, file and ensure the safe transfer of all Sponsor logos to be used in marketing, promotions and advertising.

Ensure material required for sponsors deliverables as it relates to advertising timelines are strictly adhered to.

Review the design and all graphic work needed for festival advertising, including posters, flyers, banners, pamphlets etc. (to insure that they comply with sponsor deliverables)

Ensure that all logos, artwork and sponsor tag lines are current

Obtain approval from sponsor for all advertizing that includes sponsor graphics.

Review all Sponsor’s materials that are placed in media and graphic medium to ensure proper placement and conformity with sponsorship agreements

Ensure Sponsors are given appropriate placement along the Festival route, as is presented or negotiated in the agreement.

Ensure appropriate recognition and exposure is delivered to sponsors and that there will be no confusion or competition between Vendor and Sponsor levels.

Opening Ceremony Coordination

Maintain and promote our strong relationship with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto, The Polish Embassy in Ottawa, representatives involved with the Canadian European Trade Agreement and within the local Polish community.

On site management during the festival, and/or as needed to ensure sponsor satisfaction during the event

Confidence to liaise with a wide range of internal and external partners

Account management and relationship building experience preferred

Assets:

Large group presentation skills

Bilingualism (English & Polish) is desirable but not required

Previous festival experience desirable

VIP and key client liaison experience desirable

Compensation:

Flat fee of $7000, based on a goal of raising $70,000.00 in sponsorship, payable in 5 installments of $1,400.00 upon receipt of interim reports on January 31, March 31, May 31, July 31, August 31. Plus 10% of any new sponsorship contracts above the $70,000.00 budgeted target. *Grants that require co funding by the RPF will be negotiated individually.

Festivals and Events Ontario announced the 2015 top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario at is conference this past week. These recipients represent the best festivals and events held in Ontario, a select group of celebrations which draw both an international and a domestic audience.

The Roncesvalles Polish Festival was among the recipients of this award. Now entering its tenth year, the Roncesvalles Polish Festival has grown to become one of the largest street festivals in Toronto, and is acknowledged as both a showcase for local businesses, artists and musicians and one of the world’s largest celebrations of Polish culture.

While the BIA is still crunching the attendance figures, the unofficial word is that the numbers this year are off the charts, no doubt helped by the weekend’s spectacular weather. The festival was a celebration of all things Polish and all things Roncesvalles, and featured more than a few “only-on-Roncesvalles” innovations! Spotted among the more traditional fare: pierogi pizza and pierogi poutine!

Where Roncesvalles Ave. and King St. meet, there sits an imposing bronze monument that’s about five metres high and four metres across. The sculpture is rent in half by a jagged vertical fissure, and its concrete base bears a single word running its full width: KATYN. How many of us who’ve walked or driven past know what the monument represents? Yet, this bronze identifies an event that’s seared into the psyche of the post-war Polish community and the immigrants who settled in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood.

Those who come to The Revue Cinema on Roncesvalles and see one of three screenings of Katyn, a film by the eminent Polish director Andrzej Wajda, will learn what that charged word means. The film, which earned numerous Polish awards and international recognition, including a 2007 Oscar nomination for best foreign film, will headline Kino Kultura, a Polish film festival scheduled at The Revue Friday, September 18th to Sunday, September 20th.

The Roncesvalles Village BIA and The Revue worked closely to establish this new cultural event, which coincides with the BIA’s Roncesvalles Polish Festival. More than 175,000 are expected at the street celebration, now in its fifth year.